Though Brown stepped up to run in for his old position earlier this month, he has now announced that he won’t be running at all.

Brown has decided instead to focus on holding CTV accountable for “lack of journalistic accountability”, protecting family and friends from the scandal, and remaining active in the conservative movement as a volunteer, donor, and activist.

“I believe the best thing I can do for the PC Party at this time is ensure that we win the riding of Barrie-Springwater-oro Medonte as part of a PC Party government on June 7,” said Brown in a statement on Monday, February 26, 2018.

“I plan to continue to be a voice for a moderate, diverse and inclusive Progressive Conservative Party.”

This year, two unidentified women told CTV that Brown was sexually inappropriate towards them a number of years ago when they were very young. These are the allegations Brown vehemently denied, and continues to deny.

“With respect to the false allegations, CTV has now admitted that key elements of their original slanderous story were not true. Multiple witnesses from the nights in questions have come forward to contradict the false claims. Evidence of unreported relationships between the accusers and those standing to benefit from these lies has emerged.”

“It has now been revealed that CTV misled viewers as to the identity of their interviewer. There continues to be no complaint ever made to or investigation by the police about any alleged ‘assault’. And I have voluntarily taken professional lie-detector tests and passed with flying colours - twice.”

Four candidates remain in the Ontario PC Party leadership race.

Those are former Toronto city councillor Doug Ford, former two time leadership candidate Christine Elliott, PC candidate Caroline Mulroney, and anti-sex education activist Tanya Granic Allen. Brown mentions them all and bids them the best of luck at the end of his statement.